Topic: Shure ksm141 pair and Mixpre-D>M10 combo

[heehaw]

I'm a beginner and thinking to buy Shure KSM141 mics to pair with the combo Mixpre-D>m10 (just ordered). I will be recording mostly folk and chamber music, unamplified. Maybe some nature and urban ambience. Not a long trips, 3 hours max, I think. And I've not sure about current draw of this mics, it's rated 4.65 mA at 48PH. It's not so high, but it's also not so low as 2 mA. So the question is how long will the MixPre-D (with 2 alkalines/lithiums on board) can supply the KSM141 pair, approximately? Doing a search on the taperssection, I've also noticed that this is not so popular mics on the board. But for me, it's very affordable choise because of cardioid/omni option built-in, PADs, low self-noise (14db) and finaly, price. But anyway, I have some hesitation about current draw of this mics. I will be very grateful if you can dispel my hesitation, or suggest some other mics under 1000$ with the low current consumption.
regards,
Vladislav

[heehaw]

yes, the Mixpre has those 12v and 48v switches. And Shure claims that KSM141 can work even on the 11v but this will affect perfrormance. But I'm still interested about the battery life and performance of the Mixpre+KSM141 mics. If someone have experience and can tell about it, it would be great. Anyway, other mics I have my eyes on are the Rode Nt55 and Beyerdynamic MC930.  NT55's also not popular choice here, but MC930 have some fans. One thing I'm dissapointed of is that the Beyers doesn't have the omni option. But if the Beyers is far better than Shures (wherein I doubt) I will go with them (just need some advice). I've also noticed that the MC930 have the same current draw as the KSM141 have (4.6 ma). So this current it's not a big problem?

 

[Fried Chicken Boy]

Beyer DOES make an omni in the MC line: model 910.  They just no longer make a switchable cap option which is a nice thing to have.

I've used the Shure KSM series in the studio and found them to sound very nice and be real workhorses in that environment.  Haven't heard much in regards to people using them for what we do (ie: far-field live recording) and have wondered why more tapers haven't given them a shot, especially with the card/omni option of the 141's all in one mic.

[heehaw]

2 jon stoppable: Much thanks for your advise, it's what i've looking for.

have wondered why more tapers haven't given them a shot, especially with the card/omni option of the 141's all in one mic.

I've hear someone's opinion that they are big and bulky to deal with them.
For example:

(from L to R, Charter Oak M900, Neumann KM184, Shure KSM141 and a Beyerdynamic MC 930)
yes, they are big. But on the other hand KSM141 isn't a true small diaphragm, it's between large and small, i.e. medium. Add omni/cardiod built-in and then maybe this size will be have some excuse.
I've found some of the tapes made with the KSM137 pair, it's the same mic but without the omni option. Say guys what do you think, it's interesting.
http://archive.org/details/stockholm2004-07-30.shnf
http://archive.org/details/dbt2003-07-19.shure.flac16
But I would like to mention, that my main purporses with the KSM141 (or other pair I would probably buy) are not concert taping. I've live outside US and mainland Europe and we don't have so much good concerts here to tape. So, much of my main work will be the near-field stereo recording of a small folk ensembles or groups.
Also I can't buy the mics and then sent them back within 30 days if dissatisfied. It would be my final purchase, that's why I'm so worry about matching the mics with the Mixpe-D>M10 and with my main purposes.

[newplanet7]

I don't think it's the size. People use akg 414's, Studio Projects lsd2, adk tl's and a bunch of big mics.
Hell people use huge shotgun caps from the tapers section.

I just think that there really hasn't been any exposure to what we do besides on-stage tapes. A lot of studio stuff also.
I have heard some on-stage music recordings that are great with these but, most mics should shine on-stage.
Anywho, WELCOME to taperssection.com enjoy yourself and come back and post some samples when you do use these.
-todd

[Fried Chicken Boy]

I don't think it's the size. People use akg 414's, Studio Projects lsd2, adk tl's and a bunch of big mics.
Hell people use huge shotgun caps from the tapers section.

As someone that regularly uses 414's in the field, I'm in agreement with you, Todd.

Since they're available and you have 30 days to see if they're to your liking, why not try the KSM141's.  My experiences with them were good and they offer flexibility with the switchable pattern.  The MixPre-D is also an excellent choice.  I have an original MixPre (non -D) that sounds wonderful and is built like a tank (as are all Sound Devices products) so I think the gear you're looking at is a great combination of components.  Anyway, that's my 2 cents. 

Good luck with your decision and, as previously mentioned, please post samples after you make some recordings.

[heehaw]

Since they're available and you have 30 days to see if they're to your liking, why not try the KSM141's.

Maybe I've spoken wrongly (english is my 2nd language), but I don't have those 30 days to try them (sadly).
Anyway, for now the flexibility of the KSM141 with omni/cardioid built-in is what I've really like on the field. And the second, it's low self-noise. Otherwise, I have my eyes on the RODE NT55, it's have the same PADS, but also slightly more self-noise (+2db) and don't have those flexibility (need to change caps). But if the NT55 sounds much better as stereo pair, I will pull the trigger on them. Unfortunately, I don't hear AB comparsion of these mics , but I still have at least 2-3 weeks to make my final decision. Also, for a next-few-months-to-buy I have my eyes on the Sennheiser MKH30, I think to pair it for the midside with either KSM141 or NT55. What'd you guys think? I know that the best match for the MKH30 would be another MKH(20,30,40,50,8040), but I can't afford this beauty for now. Have looking on the specs, and the MKH with the -10db pad ON will nearly match KSM141 or NT55 sensitivity. Also, KSM141 are close to match the MKH30 self-noise...

regards for all your advise. it's great community.
and surely I will post some samples when this time comes

Vladislav

[Hypnocracy]

Although I've never done this...I have considered renting a pair of microphones for special occasions...are there Sound and Lighting companies in Europe that do that?

[heehaw]

So... Finally I've stuck in between KSM141 and NT55. For now I can buy brand new NT55's from authorized dealer in my country for about 580$ (yes, 250$ cheaper than in US ) On other hand I have KSM141 for about 870$ plus ~50$ shipping from US, 920$ total. I think it's a very big step up in price. But I don't think it's so big step in quality and sound. Can anyone comment these suggestions (considering price)? It's my first SD pair, so it would be used most of the time indoors & outdoors until I can afford more high end mics. I have a few days to choose.
regards,
Vladislav.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

It comes down to what YOU like the sound of.  They're both good, well-made microphones.  Unless I'm mistaken, the NT55 is essentially the same mic (at least the same capsule) as the NT5 but with the addition of pad and high-pass switches built into the bodies.  You can also get omni capsules for them for extra flexibility whereas the KSM141 has that functionality already built in.  There should be plenty of samples of NT5/NT55 recordings in the LMA for you to listen to.

[Red Boink]

Shure copied the schoeps mk5 design with the 141...  my go to mic for acoustic and choral is my mk5s... go over to gearslutz.com for info gathering info on the shures.  I also have and use the Beyer mc930s.  Not a fan of Rode mics.

[AB52]

I had a shootout with DPAS (over $3000 new), Josephsen pair E22s and the KSM141s on acoustic guitar.  People commented how much they liked the Shures.  To me, it won it.
The Shures are AWESOME in OMNI ! ! !  Cardioid they are good too - but the omni is not only good - it was one of the quiestest omni mics you will find in that price range.

[gd420mj]

I'd love to hear some of the folk music you eventually record. Sounds interesting. Please share

[heehaw]

I'd love to hear some of the folk music you eventually record. Sounds interesting. Please share

Not folk at all, but recently I've recorded some domra-piano duo rehearsals.
Domra is a Russian folk 3-string instrument.
It's looks like this

Hope you can enjoy this record
http://soundcloud.com/tvm1984/120525-04-master